Gutter cleaner apparatus, a gutter cleaner kit and a method of cleaning gutters

ABSTRACT

A cleaning arrangement for removing accumulated leaves and other debris from an overhead gutter of a building, said arrangement including: a cleaning tool having a blade of comparative cross sectional profile to the gutter to be cleaned, an elongated rod having one end adapted to be held by a user and a remote end substantially perpendicular to the said blade when blade is connected to said rod, said blade including an aperture at an upper corner of said blade for an end of the rod to be releasable fastenable therein, such that the off-centering of the rod to the corner of the blade allows the cleaning tool to be scraped along the length of a segment of guttering without the blade making contact with internal brackets or bracing supporting the gutter.

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

This invention relates to an apparatus for removing accumulated leavesor other debris from overhead gutters of a building or the like, butparticularly a gutter cleaner kit includes an improved hand heldapparatus or tool which may conveniently be used by a user toefficiently clean leaves and other debris from the overhead gutters of ahome or similar such premises.

This invention also provides for an improved method of cleaning debrisfrom gutters utilising the improved cleaning kit referred to above.

BACKGROUND ART

U.S. Pat. No. 4,542,553 provides for a tool for cleaning gutters whichhas a singular rod like member to which is attached a plate adjacent toone end and a handle adjacent to the other, and which is so configuredthat the plate could be scraped along the trough of the gutter.

As stated in the specification for U.S. Pat. No. 4,542,553 the guttercleaning tool has the rod which joins the scraping blade and handletogether divided into two sections by a fold such that the rod itself issubstantially perpendicular to the flat face of the scraping blade.

As can be seen from FIG. 1 of U.S. Pat. No. 4,542,553 the scraping bladeor plate sits symmetrically below the interconnecting rod.

While such a tool for cleaning gutters may have had some applicabilityin 1985 this current design is deficient for a variety of reasons, nowin the twenty first century.

Firstly, gutters are now supported and connected to the roof via avariety of internal brackets which would mean for the most part that thecleaning tool provided for in U.S. Pat. No. 4,542,553 would collide withthese brackets making it difficult to scrape the cleaning tool along thelength of the gutter. Or at least any scraping would in fact beinterrupted providing inconvenience and trouble to the user.

Such difficulties are exasperated when a user is upon a ladder severalmetres up from ground level where safety and convenience would beparamount.

As the person skilled in the art would appreciate if the cleaning toolis only allowed to be scraped over very small sections of guttering toavoid these internal brackets which assist in fixing the guttersappropriately to the roof, the user will have to regularly climb up anddown the ladder to move to the next portion.

The cleaning tool provided for in U.S. Pat. No. 4,542,553 when appliedto modern day designed gutters would not allow a user to convenientlyscrape long segments or lengths off gutters to remove the leaves, debrisand the like.

Still further, as the rod is fixed to the blade in the central point ofsaid blade, the user is unable to conveniently use the tool effectively,trouble free and conveniently in both hands. What this means is that theblade which connects to the cleaning tool rod in U.S. Pat. No. 4,542,553if reversed, still has no ability for either cleaning tool per se to beused by the same preferred hand of the user when cleaning the gutter.

It would be most advantageous to be able to design a scraping blade suchthat it could be reversed or the like so that the cleaning tool could beused by the users preferred hand once positioned on the ladder to cleansegments of the gutter both to the left and right side of the user.

This would be a significant advantage as the user once positioned on theladder could clean a much longer length of guttering before the ladderposition would need to be changed.

Hence there remains a need in the relevant field of cleaning gutters ofa tool, apparatus and or kit that is more ergonomically designed toallow the cleaning head or blade of the cleaning tool to pass easilyunder the bracing such that a single cleaning action of a user canextend across a greater segment of length of the gutter.

Still further there is a requirement to still provide in this relevantfield of technology an improved cleaning tool for gutters such that theblade which is responsible for collecting the leaves and the debrisallows passage under these internal brackets of the gutter but also bedesigned to more specifically match the profile of common gutters of thetwenty first century as well as allow simple removability of the bladeor head for detachability and reversibility so that the cleaning toolcan be used in the preferred hand of the user while positioned on theladder irrespective of whether leaves and debris need to be scraped fromeither the left or the right side of the ladder.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly in one form of the invention there is provided a cleaningtool for removing accumulated leaves and other debris from an overheadgutter of a building, said tool including:

-   -   a blade of comparative cross sectional profile to the gutter to        be cleaned,    -   an elongated handle having one end adapted to be held by a user        and a remote end substantially perpendicular to the said blade,    -   said blade including an aperture at an upper corner of said        blade for an end of the handle to be releasable fastenable        therein,    -   such that the off-centering of the securable detachable rod to        the corner of the blade allows the cleaning tool to be scraped        along the length of a segment of guttering without the blade and        or rod making contact with internal brackets or bracing        supporting the gutter.

An advantage of such an arrangement is that by having the blade to beable to be clipped or snapped on to the rod at the upper corner of theblade means that the blade or head can be conveniently secured to therod.

Hence a selection of heads could be incorporated as part of an apparatusfor the cleaning kit wherein the user would select the most appropriatehead or blade configuration, which would conform with the same designsas to the gutter being cleaned.

As the head or blade can be conveniently snapped on and fitted to therod when positioned on the roof the user can simply unclip or lock theblade and head and turn it around the other way such that it will allowthe user to maintain using its preferred hand when the other side needsto be cleaned.

Hence the blade and head provide reversibility which in effect meansthat the user when positioned on the ladder can effectively clean bothsides of the gutter from the perspective of the positioned centralladder using a single preferred hand.

A further advantage of such an arrangement is that as the rod isconnected to the blade by this securable detachable snap fit connectionin the upper corner, as there is no raised height of the rod on thecentral part of the blade means that as the blade scrapes along orbrushes along the gutter and comes across the internal bracing orbrackets of the gutter, with these particular brackets always beinginclined, the rod is able to pass under the internal bracing or bracketswithout any abutment or discomfort to the user.

In preference the cleaning tool is made from a single piece of moldedreinforced plastic to which for the most part the rod would include adefined groove along its length thereby minimizing the amount ofmaterial that needs to be utilized in the tool thereby keepingmanufacturing costs and the weight of the product significantly reduced.

In order to appreciate fully the variety of advantages and benefits thisnew gutter cleaner apparatus includes as well as the associated guttercleaning kit and the method of cleaning the gutters, a series ofillustrations in an accompanying text now follow herewith.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 a is a perspective view of the gutter cleaner tool and FIG. 1 bis a underside perspective view.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view, partly in cross section, showing theclose up of the blade being clipped on or snapped on to the rod in itsoff centred position to allow it to be conveniently passed under theinternal bracing or brackets of the gutter.

FIGS. 3 a and 3 b shows schematic illustrations whereby the ability toreversibly easily detach and then secure the blade onto the rod meansthat the user of the tooling is able to maintain the use of theirpreferred hand for the cleaning of both the left and right side lengthsof the guttering when in position.

FIG. 4 shows a further preferred embodiment of the invention ofintroduction of the feature of the scoop or spade.

FIGS. 5 a, 5 b, 5 c, 5 d and 5 e show how the scoop or blade is designedto allow the user to easily reach into difficult areas located under theroofline to collect the debris that has been swept or scraped intoposition by the cleaning tool.

FIG. 6 shows a further preferred embodiment of the invention whereby thegutter cleaner tool is provided as a cleaning kit.

FIG. 7 shows a further preferred embodiment of the invention as to howthe gutter cleaner kit may be positioned when the user prepares his orherself to commence cleaning of the gutter.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings now in greater detail as shown in FIGS. 1 aand 1 b the cleaning tool 10 is made from reinforced plastic, preferablyinjection molded polypropylene being made up of a central rod showngenerally as 11 divided into two sections 12 and 14 by fold 16. Handle13 extends from the rod segment 12 by virtue of fold 15.

Advantageously by having the gutter cleaner manufactured usingengineered grade polypropylene and preferably strengthened with glassfibre this will provide long term strength, durability and ultra violetsunlight resistance to the tool.

Still further the use of the reinforced plastic for the tooling hasenabled the design to be not only functional to conform with the designsof the guttering but also aesthetically pleasing.

The defined groove 18 along the length of the rod 11 means that thelevel of plastics used can be reduced without consequence of durabilitybut also to improve the lightness of the product which providesadvantages in use when cleaning of the guttering is required.

Still further the selection of reinforced plastic as opposed to steelblades which are prominent in the prior art means that there is nodamage caused by the cleaning tool to the guttering while being cleaned.For example there is no scraping or cutting of the gutter during thecleaning process.

Blade 15 is able to be snapped on to the lower end of the rod 14 byvirtue of an aperture 17 which is positioned in the upper corner of theblade 15.

A biasing lever 20 extends into the aperture 17, wherein shelf 23extending from the lever 20 includes an upward tab 25 that can bepositioned into anyone of slots 24, depending on the angle to which auser wants the blade 15 relative to the rod 11. When in position tabs 22abut shoulders 22 of the shelf 23 to prevent any unwanted rotation ofthe rod 11 in the aperture 17, while ribs 21 or the lever prevent anylater movement of the blade 15 away from rod 11.

The blade or head 15 includes upper edge 27 as well as tapered orinclined side edge 25.

As can be seen in FIG. 2 by having the rod 11 connected to the blade 15at the upper corner means that the internal bracing or brackets 34present in the gutter 36 can be swept under without abutting contact.

In the prior art the rod was always connected central to the blade so asit is swept along a length of the guttering it will come in directcontact with the internal bracing or brackets 34 which help support theguttering in place on the roof.

The simple clip on effect between the rod 11, blade 15 and aperture 17,means that the blade can be snap on in reverse so that the preferredhand of the user can always be maintained.

Advantageously also as the blades 15 are snapped on a variety ofdifferent blades 15 can be provided for in the overall kit to suit mostcommonly available gutter profiles.

FIGS. 3 a and 3 b simply represents a schematic example of how thegutter 40 may be cleaned by user 42 who has scaled a ladder 44 toposition his or herself such that the rod 46 connected in the upperright hand corner 48 of the blade 50 can then be appropriately used toclean both the right and left side length of the gutter 40.

Advantageously with this invention the head or blade 50 can be clippedoff and then snapped fastenably back on for reversibility to allow theuser to maintain use of their preferred hand when cleaning the entirelength of the guttering from their elevated position on the ladder 44.

It also needs to be pointed out that the cleaning tool 10 includesaperture 32 which can allow an extended rod 28, of which itself said rodcan be telescopically extended and retracted but includes a tab 30 whichcan clip in position within aperture 33 such that the extended rod 28can remain fastened to rod 11 of the cleaning tool.

Advantageously as to be seen by this arrangement while the cleaning toolcan be used as a hand held item it can also be held for an extended rod28 by virtue of the locking mechanism provided for by features 30 and33.

Advantageously the use of the extended rod 28 means that larger sectionsor lengths of the guttering can be cleaned from the one elevatedposition of the user upon a ladder.

In FIG. 4 a scoop or shovel or spade 58 is provided for which has ahandle 60, a fold 66, length 68, shoulder 70, fold 72, platform 74 aswell as a base 76 which is joined together by raised shoulder 78.

FIGS. 5 a to 5 e show schematically how this scoop 58 can be used toassist in the overall cleaning of the guttering.

The unique design of the scoop 58 allows the user to easily reachnormally hard to reach areas such as under the roofline. The shape anddesign of the scoop 58 allows the debris collected by the blade 15 ofthe cleaning tool 10 to be easily lifted out of the gutter and into abucket or the like as strategically placed next to the gutter anddiscussed in slightly further detail in relation to FIG. 7.

The scoop 58 also may include aperture 64 as well as a configured designto allow a handle or the like to extend thereinto shown generally as 62in the illustrations.

As can be seen from FIGS. 5 a through to 5 e the scoop 58 is firstpositioned to the rear of the gutter or to the roof side then loweredsuch that the base 76 can be scraped in and then be scooped across withthe debris 73 being supported by the main backbone platform 74 as it wasalso assisted by the raised shoulder 78.

FIG. 6 shows a further preferred way in which the cleaning tool can beprovided for and this is as a complete kit which would consist of themain hand held cleaning tool 92, a series of snap on heads or blades 94,the scoop at 90 as well as a wire holder 88 which can be used as anaccessory to hold a bucket or the like as well as the positioning of thecleaning tool 92 and the scooper 90 also thereon.

The kit in FIG. 6 also includes a bag 86 which has to be expected can bepresented in a variety of colours or represented imageries to make theoverall kit more aesthetically pleasing for purchase by members of thepurchasing public.

FIG. 7 shows one way in which the kit could be prepared for use upon thegutter wherein the wire holder 88 which includes its supports 102 whichmakes it available to be safely hooked onto the gutter 96 of the roof100 whereby the upright arms 104 of the simple wire holder 88 can beused to secure a bucket 106 by hooking on the bucket 106 handles 108.

As the cleaning tool and scoop both may include apertures on theirhandles, these apertures on the handle are also adapted to be passedalong the upright arms 104 of the wire holder 88 if such features needto be rested thereon.

1. A cleaning arrangement for removing accumulated leaves and otherdebris from an overhead gutter of a building, said arrangementincluding: a cleaning tool having a blade of comparative cross sectionalprofile to the gutter to be cleaned, an elongated rod having one endadapted to be held by a user and a remote end substantiallyperpendicular to the said blade when said blade is connected to saidrod, said blade including an aperture at an upper corner of said bladefor an end of the rod to be releasable fastenable therein in anoff-center positioning, such that the off-center positioning of the rodallows the cleaning tool to be scraped along the length of a segment ofguttering without the blade making contact with internal brackets orbracing supporting the gutter, wherein the blade is connected to the rodby a biasing ribbed lever that is a part of the rod that extends intothe aperture of the blade, wherein a shelf extending from the leverincludes an upward tab that is adapted to be position into any one of aseries of slots about the circumferential edge of the aperture, suchthat the rod is held in place in the aperture by the upward tab'sengagement with one of the slots and with one of the ribs of the biasinglever.
 2. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein the rod is divided by afirst fold and a second fold, with the first fold defining upper andlower sections of the rod, and the second fold having a handle extendingtherefrom.
 3. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein the blade is adapted tobe fastenable to the rod substantially perpendicular either to the leftor right hand sides of said rod so the blade may be reversed for eitherhand use of the user when cleaning the gutter.
 4. The arrangement ofclaim 3 wherein said rod is formed from a single piece of moldedreinforced plastic having a groove along its length thereby minimizingthe amount of material utilized in the cleaning tool thereby keepingmanufacturing costs and the weight of the cleaning tool significantlyreduced.
 5. The arrangement of claim 4 wherein the reinforced plastic isengineered grade polypropylene strengthened with glass fibre for longterm strength, durability and ultra violet sunlight resistance.
 6. Thearrangement of claim 5 further including a scoop having a handleextending from a first fold, a length between first fold and a secondfold, said second fold separating a shoulder folded with a platform,said platform having raised sides and connected to a base.
 7. Thearrangement of claim 6 further including a wire holder that hooks ontothe gutter whereby upright arms of the wire holder support the handle ofa bucket.
 8. The arrangement of claim 7 wherein the cleaning tool orscoop or both the cleaning tool and scoop include apertures on theirrespective handles adapted to be passed along the upright arms of thewire holder to be rested thereon.
 9. The arrangement of claim 8 whereinthe rod includes a handle, wherein one end of the handle includes ahollow chamber to receive an extension rod, to increase the span of useof the cleaning tool when cleaning the gutter.